Photovoltaics in the Circular Economy

NREL applies its long-standing expertise in modeling and analysis to photovoltaics (PV) in the circular economy, supporting the sustainability of PV technologies.

Icon of arrows going around in a circle

Circular Economy for Energy Materials

This research aligns with one of NREL's critical objectives.

Through its circular economy modeling and analysis capabilities, NREL has led numerous path-breaking studies. For instance, it has systematically reviewed all PV circular economy literature, identified prioritized future R&D strategies for PV recycling, and analyzed circular economy outcomes of aggressive solar deployment scenarios for its Solar Futures Study.

Also, it continues to grow a body of literature mapping policy approaches to increasing circularity of PV and leads the International Energy Agency's Technology Collaboration Programme on PV Sustainability, where several of the below publications and others can be found. Improving circular economy can lead to more sustainable solar technologies. 

Models and Tools

NREL has developed models of the PV circular economy, which can continue to be enhanced and applied in novel ways and applications. The PV in the Circular Economy Tool dynamically models both materials demands and end-of-life materials for PV installations over time and can evaluate trade-offs among circular economy pathways. NREL has also applied new analytical approaches to consider social factors in better mapping future PV circular economy pathways.

Publications

Find NREL-authored publications about the circular economy of PV.

TitleYearAuthorsTypePublishermetadata
A Critical Review of the Circular Economy for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Photovoltaic Modules – Status, Challenges, and Opportunities2022G. Heath, D. Ravikumar, B. Hansen, E. KupetsJournal ArticleJournal of the Air & Waste Management Association 
Technoeconomic Analysis of High-Value, Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Module Recycling Processes2022H. Cui, G. Heath, T. Remo, D. Ravikumar, T. Silverman, M. Deceglie, M. Kempe, J. Engel-CoxJournal ArticleSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 
Mapping the Opportunity Space to Model the Circular Economy Using Tools Funded by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy2022S. Upasani, J. Walzberg, D. Ravikumar, A. Carpenter, G. Heath, U. Gracida-Alvarez, T. Benavides, H. Xu, T. Hawkins, D. Desantis, J. Cresko Technical ReportNREL 
Environmental and Circular Economy Implications of Solar Energy in a Decarbonized U.S. Grid2022G. Heath, D. Ravikumar, S. Ovaitt, L. Walston, T. Curtis, D. Millstein, H. Mirletz, H. Hartmann, J. McCall Technical ReportNREL 
Role of the Social Factors in Success of Solar Photovoltaic Reuse and Recycle Programmes2021J. Walzberg, A. Carpenter, G. HeathJournal ArticleNature Energy 
A Survey of Federal and State-Level Solar System Decommissioning Policies in the United States2021T.L. Curtis, L.E.P. Smith, H. Buchanan, G. HeathTechnical ReportNREL 
Preliminary Environmental and Financial Viability Analysis of Circular Economy Scenarios for Satisfying PV System Service Lifetime2021N. Rajagopalan, A. Smeets, K. Peeters, S. De Regel, T. Rommens, K. Wang, P. Stolz, R. Frischknecht, G. Heath, D. Ravikumar ReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems ProgrammeIEA PVPS
PV Module Design for Recycling Guidelines2021J. Bilbao, G. Heath, A. Norgren, M. Lunardi, A. Carpenter, R. CorkishReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems ProgrammeIEA PVPS
Solar Photovoltaic Module Recycling: A Survey of U.S. State Policies and Initiatives2021T.L. Curtis, H. Garvin, H. Buchanan, L. Smith, S. ShawTechnical ReportNREL 
A Circular Economy for Solar Photovoltaic System Materials: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations2021T.L. Curtis, H. Buchanan, L. Smith, H. GarvinTechnical ReportNREL 
Best Practices at the End of the Photovoltaic System Performance Period2021T.L. Curtis, G. Heath, A. Walker, J. Desai, E. Settle, C. BarbosaTechnical ReportNREL 
Design for Recycling Principles Applicable to Selected Clean Energy Technologies: Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, Electric Vehicle Batteries, and Wind Turbine Blades2020A. Norgren, A. Carpenter, G. HeathJournal ArticleJournal of Sustainable Metallurgy 
Research and Development Priorities for Silicon Photovoltaic Module Recycling to Support a Circular Economy2020G. Heath, T. Silverman, M. Kempe, M. Deceglie, D. Ravikumar, T. Remo, H. Cui, P. Sinha, C. Libby, S. Shaw, K. Komoto, K. Wambach, E. Butler, T. Barnes, A. Wade Journal ArticleNature Energy 
Human Health Risk Assessment Methods for PV | Part 3: Module Disposal Risks2020P. Sinha, G. Heath, A. Wade, K. Komoto Technical ReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme IEA PVPS
Life Cycle Inventory of Current Photovoltaic Module Recycling Processes in Europe2018K. Wambach, G. Heath, C. LibbyReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme IEA PVPS
Life Cycle Assessment of Current Photovoltaic Module Recycling2018P. Stolz, R. Frischknecht, K. Wambach, P. Sinha, G. Heath ReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems ProgrammeIEA PVPS
End-of-Life Management of Photovoltaic Panels: Trends in PV Module Recycling Technologies2018K. Komoto, J. Lee, J. Zhang, D. Ravikumar, P. Sinha, A. Wade, G. HeathReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems ProgrammeIEA PVPS
End-of-Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels2016S. Weckend, A. Wade, G. HeathReportInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme; International Renewable Energy Agency IEA PVPS, IRENA
PV in the Circular Economy, A Dynamic Framework Analyzing Technology Evolution and Reliability Impacts2022S. Ovaitt, H. Mirletz, S. Sridhar, T. BarnesJournal ArticleiScience 
Embodied Energy and Carbon from the Manufacture of Cadmium Telluride and Silicon Photovoltaics2022H. Wikoff, S. Reese, M. ReeseJournal ArticleJoule 
Techno-Economic, Environmental, and Social Measurement of Clean Energy Technology Supply Chains2022J. Engel-Cox, H. Wikoff, S. ReeseJournal ArticleJournal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing 
PV Evolution in the Light of Circular Economy2021S. Ovaitt, H. Mirletz, A. Hegedus, A. Gaulding, T. BarnesConference Paper48th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference 
Circular Economy in Photovoltaics2024G. Heath, E. DrahiFactsheetInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme 
Human Health Risk Assessment Methods for PV Part 3: Module Disposal Risks2024G. HeathPresentationInternational Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme 

Share

Last Updated April 3, 2025